The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede has called youths across the country to embrace a life of purpose, passion, integrity and focus in order to stay away from economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption.
He made this call recently in Abuja at the Great Achievers Summit and Awards of Excellence 2024 organized by the Great Achievers Initiative for Youth and Community Development, GAIYD.
Olukoyede who spoke through the Head of Enlightenment and Reorientation Unit of the EFCC, ACEII Aisha Mohammed stressed that only by living a life of purpose can youth shun fraudulent engagements and strive for higher values. He pointed out that education played a vital role in providing foundational knowledge for young people, suggesting that institutions should incorporate leadership-oriented curricula that will encourage critical thinking, problem-solving and communication skills.
He further tasked them to continue to dream big while remaining grounded in reality, also standing up for what is right even in the face of adversity, so that together they can have a brighter future that the nation can be proud of. He pointed out that youths have shared responsibility of moving the nation forward.
“I charge us all to come together to shape the future leadership of our society. It is a collective responsibility for all of us. That is the only solution to make Nigeria great again” he said.
Continuing “As you embark on this leadership journey, remember, leadership is not about titles, but about impact, Influence is not about authority, but about character, the future is not about predicting, but about creating. So, I leave you with a challenge, where leadership is a force for good, and where our collective potential is unleashed”
Part of the highlights of the event was a panel discussion with school students discussing on “The problems faced by the boy child in the society”. The thrust of the discussions was that critical attention should be paid to the boy child as the male gender has been neglected over time and no family can function well without a boy child.
Delivering a remark as father of the day, the Wakili of Zauzau says “raising a child begins from the home, home values are needed to shape the child to be good to the community and the national values which we seek begin from the home”.
A keynote speaker at the event, Professor Julius Onyedemire stated that the moment we can get it right at every level of leadership, beginning from the home, everything will fall in place in Nigeria, adding that leadership is not just about authority, position , titles but about inspiring and influencing others to a shared vision of doing the right thing.
“We must train our youths to be able to take responsibilities towards leadership as the future of any nation lies in their care. Shaping the future of leadership is not left to those in power but a collective responsibility. Irrespective of where we come, anyone can make the difference” he said
